The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-01-07

It Is espeeiSs.y ussp.. able In this state where
tho chief industry Is agriculture that the trans
portatisn rates be a. low as Is 9ons,ssens Win q
roads Indeed, It is dues tionable II the original
cost Of a road furnishes certain criterion Of
what y should DC allowed 70 earn or oy which
erty fiuctuate and railroad property Is no excep-
tion TO the rule II railroads can be constructed
and eq tipped at frem 80 to % per cant less less
old roads should be allowed TO charge from 30
TO so per cent more than The new ones con-
structed ut q much less cost, could reasonably
charger IL should be the policy OF the state 70
secure for It's grs at producing classes the cheap
est rates possible with consistency and justice
to the other interests involved.
have reported to you certain proposed lesisla-
ton OF great Importance. already referred to
and commented Jpn by Gov. Hubbard. which
doubt not viii viii SI Ss sad to sSoss sny
changes or a hdments in the railroad and
grain laws wh3, will contribute to their eff
cheney and TO All usefulness Of the commission,
and shall not IfH5pass on your time to call at
tention 10 theI On detail
rLe TON OF RAILRAoDa
II appears D. IN that new aud definite legisla-
ton rs needed AM the subject Of railroad taxa.
ton The colpn iissioners seem to be in doubt
concerning ID V,iability Of any railroad company
which has poln FINALLY accepted the provisions
of Se ~ law sswator 70 F:
Railroad comb any, 70 even pay per centrum o.
It's earniugs,in lieu OF taxes. under existing
jeaisIatSon' This liability should DO 10 de-
finitelv seItled that there could be no question
about Ne In any case. IL seems desirable thai
the whole subject be inquired into by the legis-
lature and plain and consistent law enacted
The Ia ~ In force is indefinite and obscure thai
several sni,s have already been carried to tht
snpreme oourt for construction of its meaning
Besides jt Is well known that che intention
of the law is being continually abused by
railroad companies. ] mean that feature o.
A. which imposes q tax on new roads o.
Int one por centum on gross earnings'for the
frat three years. two per ccntum during The
next sever, ydars, and three per ccntum there
alter. Al a Iresult OF the favor shown In tbs
aw 10 ,sosy rkads, the spurs and branches bull
I Cor tfs old roads, as direct part or their sys
tend nd regularly operated with them as par
of HFproperty railroad, are as rule built by
new1 bIporations for the sake OF the exemption
ex.S hded TO new roads. In this way IL happen:
that while the gross earnings In the state Tor tn
| past year increased S25S, 095.Sl, the taxes. o
per6entage in lieu of taxes, decreased $So3O,
So In view of these facts, ana OF the iarg
| amount Of property held by the railroad com
paIIies exempt from taxation. recommend Ina
the law be amended 20 rs to c7mpei all railroat
| lines hereafter to be bnilt and operatedtto pa!
| 10 the state the full three per centum on thei
gross earnings, in lieu OF taxes, from the start.
TAXATION OF RAILROAD LANDS
The large quantities OF lands held by the vart
GUS railroad companies free from taxation 10
subject which has attracted the attention OF tn
| propio Of he state. There Is an evident i'm
| pCession In the minds Of many that some acttol
can or ought to be taken looking TO the taxation